Imagine someone searching online for a spiritual home. Maybe they're new to town, or maybe they're finally ready to explore faith. But they've opened their laptop or pulled out their phone to search for a church nearby.

What will they find?

You can build a bridge between potential visitors and your church with these essential elements:

• Welcome Wagon: First things first – location and directions! Make it easy for folks to find you. Include a clear map, your address, and even a link to Google Maps for turn-by-turn navigation. Bonus points for adding pictures of your church building – a friendly face to put with the name.
• The Weekly Rundown: People want to know when the party starts! Prominently display your service times, including any special events or programs. 
• Beliefs in a nutshell: What makes your church unique? A clear and concise statement of faith lets visitors know if your beliefs align with theirs. Don't get bogged down in theological jargon; present your core values in a way that's easy to understand.
• Sharing the Message: Sermons are a cornerstone of many churches. Include recordings or transcripts of recent sermons. This is a fantastic way for visitors to experience Sunday morning and your preaching and pastoral style.
• Mission: Why We Do What We Do: Every church has a purpose, a reason for being. Your mission statement should be clear, concise, and inspiring. It tells visitors what your church is passionate about and the impact it aims to make in the community.
• Vision: Where We're Headed: Your vision statement takes the mission a step further, painting a picture of the future you're working towards. How do you see your church growing and serving the community in the future?
• Becoming Part of the Family: Nobody wants to just show up to church; they long to connect. Make it easy for visitors to take the next step, whether that’s membership, signing up for a small group, serving in kids church, or simply getting in touch with a pastor or staff member. Include clear calls to action with links to contact forms, ministry pages, or upcoming events.

The key thing in all of these is to ask, “if this was my first time to the website, how easily could I find all of these things? Is it up to date? Most importantly, let your church's warmth and personality shine through!

Remember: your website is much more than just a Yellow Pages ad listing contact info and service times. It's the front porch of your church. It's a place to experience what your faith family is like. It's a place to blur the lines between your building and your ministry, giving you the ability to push discipleship beyond the walls of your church!